Bait station and timing. UPDATE: 09-24, Final Update

[h20hunter]

The other side is a long ago out of use logging track. There are two little 1 foot wide trickles and heavy brush on both sides. I have seen deer track along the edges and know that they use the old path to travel between areas. There is a small clearcut about 200 yards further and then only thick brush. I figure that since there are not tons of deer in the area it will just take them a bit to find the stuff. There is no foot traffic that far back that I know of. I have only seen deer/bear sign, no boot tracks, no dog prints. I'll give it some time and then can always relocate. For now, I have a place near work that will sell me apples cheap, like 40 to 45 cents a pound. So, I can hike some in and see how it goes. So far I think I have plenty to bring them in.

[blacktailcrzy]

great thread keep updating us thanks

[h20hunter]

So, back out the the apple pile this Sunday morning. I'll tell ya that hoofing 43lbs of apples with 3 or 4 inches of old wet sloppy snow blows. Oh well. The good news is that I've got a pile going with about 100 lbs of apples. The bad news is that I haven't gotten a single nibble. Now, I know there are deer around, just not a ton. I figure the deer #1 haven't found them, #2 are not moving a bunch because it's cold and they are staying where they have food already and are safe and #3 Its only a matter of time. Am I crazy for wanting to stick with it on this one site. I really like the location and think that when spring finally gets here and then into summer it will be getting hit hard. Another good thing is with all this cold weather the apples are staying nice and fresh.

[Special T]

Deer do not like the sent of humnas even on apples. I once had apples laying out, and the deer seemed leary of them. So i took one and thew it at them, all does. after being startled they gre curious, then started eating them. other piles i have set up were only hit after the rain had killed off my scent. 

[h20hunter]

I think it will just take some time and spring to arrive. Every trip out to dump apples makes me want to keep on adding and eventually shoot a deer there.

[h20hunter]

So, back out to the bait site. Nothing. Nothing at all. However, I can now say I have about 100 lbs of apples at this one spot. I'm gonna let it sit for a month and then check back and see if I have any action/sign..anything at all. The good news is that I have a 2nd spot going. Now, last week I went back out to check and had a nice little block, one of the small ones, and about 42 lbs of apples. It was a nice pretty day and I enjoyed just being out. Today however, rain, hail, and bitchy old lady walker with a dog that gave me the stink eye. I load up the pack thinking it will be a repeat of last time. Nope, all my apples are gone and the brush looks a bit more worn. Also, my little brick is just about chewed into nothing. I dumped my apples and heading back out. Luckily I picked up my trail cam from site number one. Back into town, fresh batteries, another small block, some corn, and one of those corn and whatever else blocks. I know it will probably fall apart in the rain but I don't care. Figure if I'm gonna walk my butt back out there I'm taking something else tasty. Back in the truck, back to the gate, back down the trail, back up the hill, through the brush, dump it all out and get the camera set up. I'll give it another week or two and then go back.

So, what ate my block?

[JimmyHoffa]

Good luck.  It's cool to see that the critters are eating your treats.  Do you look for mineral content of your treats?  I know a lot of blocks list crude protein and such, but I don't remember seeing much in the way of mineral content listed.  I like to take them the salt licks with all the other minerals mixed in before and during antler growing season.  They are about a pound each and cost a dollar at my local feed store.  They are easy to carry with the apples.  I'll cut an apple and rub it all over the mineral block and then cut small pieces and lay them on it.

[h20hunter]

The blocks have the standard variety of minerals and such. I'll be curious to see what is doing the damage to the apples. 42 lbs in a week is pretty good I think. Overall I covered right at 6 and a half miles today. I'm on my second medicinal (sp?) whiskey and the knees are feeling a bit better.

[zackmioli]

looking forward to see all your work pay off with some awesome pictures!

[h20hunter]

Yes, pictures are cool, horn porn and all. The payoff will be a double lung'r with a 100 grain 3 blade!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Just a suggestion,....when you put mineral blocks or other attractants down, scrape all the needles, leaves etc. until you have bare earth about 3 feet diameter.
 
A lot of what you are seeing is the rain washing the minerals into the earth.

[h20hunter]

Good point. Next time out I'll do a little manscaping and clear the ground a bit. I didn't think rain would wash a block away like that but I suppose it can after looking at it. However, rain sure didn't wash my apples away!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Some wear would be from the animals licking, they will lick grooves into the blocks, but the rough texture is from rain.

[h20hunter]

Maybe next time I'll build a little rock "hut" to cover the block. That would protect it from the main rain and still allow the animals to get to it.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Actually, you want the minerals to soak into the ground, they will eat the dirt.
I have seen areas where there is a hole in the ground over 6 inches deep by 2 feet wide, and the earth cleared out over 6 feet in all directions, but these are in Eastern Wa.